FBI: Man arrested in La Crosse house raid part of Chicago street gang

Investigators arrested Walter Blackman Thursday morning

The FBI says the man arrested in La Crosse during a house raid on the city's south side is one of 18 members of a Chicago street gang facing federal drug and/or gun charges.

The members of the gang called the "Black Disciples" are facing charges in connection with a continuing investigation into drug and gun trafficking in and around Chicago's south side, the FBI said.

The FBI investigation has led to the seizure of more than 1.3 kilograms of crack cocaine and .44 kilograms of heroin, and the recovery of about 39 firearms.

Sixteen members were arrested Thursday, including Walter Blackman, aka "Gangster," 50, of Gary, Indiana, who was renting a house at 4330 Verchota Street in La Crosse. Field agents from the Milwaukee field office raided the house for a case the Chicago FBI has been working on. Blackman was arrested and transported to Chicago on Thursday. He faces federal drug and firearms charges.

According to the criminal complaint, Blackman is a "high-ranking member of the Black Disciples street gang in Chicago who distribues drugs, including cocaine and heroin in the Chicao area and elsewhere." The complaint states Blackman distributed 280 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base and 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.

Besides Blackman, one other suspect was located and taken into custody in Wisconsin. Another suspect was arrested in Iowa and two additional arrests occured in Indiana. The FBI says one other member of the Black Disciples street gang was arrested Friday and one other man, Blackman's brother Ken Blackman remains at large, the FBI said.

Sixteen men were charged in complaints in the U.S. District Court in Chicago with Possession of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, including powder cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, or with federal firearms violations. Two other men were charged in complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Hammond, Indiana, with either Distribution of a Controlled Substance or a firearms violation.

The FBI said investigators used sophisticated physical surveillance techniques, the controlled purchase of illicit drugs and guns, and the electronic interception of telephone conversations involving one or more of the suspects.